New content in time for February Sweeps!
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Welcome to the '80s TV Theme SuperSite
This site represents the largest resource of '80s television history on the internet. More than anything, it is a place for the nitty gritty...like an obscure advertising jingle that has more sap than a Vermont tree, but is a priceless reflection of the zeitgeist.

It is a favorite among many in "the business" not because of the usual primetime themes, but because of the mundane you'll find in the Potpourri, Promos, and Commercials sections. Their contributions fill the site with content that livens the history of the era with color and sound.
There are lots of surprises in store...

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HereUpdates - January 2007

Some of our favorites from YouTube

McDonald's "It's a Good Time for the Great Taste" (1984)

7Up "Feels so Good" (1986)

KDKA Eyewitness News Pittsburgh Fort Pitt Tunnel open/close (1988)

Good Morning America opening sequence (1989)

Updates - February 2006 Sweeps

High flying airline commercials...

Sure, the industry is always in turmoil, but that hasn't stopped them from putting out some memorable jingles that romanticized the skies. The 1980s were filled with upstart airlines and familiar names reaching into new territory and trying to differentiate themselves. This collection of spots captures that era. Learn more about airline history at Cactus Wings.

America West (1987, video)
Some may disagree, but my experience has been America West's Phoenix-based crews did a lot with what little they had, with a peppy attitude captured in this commercial and "What we serve is you" jingle. Not sure how 'luxurious' a 757 jet can be, but hey, they tried.

Delta (1987, video)
Along with American's "Something special / Doing what we do best," Delta's "We love to fly and it shows" is among the most recognized airline slogans to this day. This is the spot that launched the campaign, capturing the Southern hospitality that was at its core.

American (1986, video)
A Caribbean version of the "Something special in the air" campaign to introduce service to new island destinations. Airline buffs will get a load of the shiny DC-10 guzzling gas across the runway. The colorful imagery was common in many AA commercials during the period.

PSA Airlines (1981)
You have to be from California to really appreciate this, but back in the '70s and '80s PSA flew bright orange planes with wide smiles and noses painted on the front up and down the California coast. They also had an infectious campaign called "Catch our Smile." While the airline was acquired by US Air in 1988, today PSA will live on as US Airways flies a heritage aircraft painted in the familiar orange PSA scheme.

All My Children closing (1990)
Soap fans rejoice, here is the closing music to AMC's most popular theme. So popular, they brought it out of retirement with new arrangements a few years ago.

Doogie Howser, M.D. (1988)
ABC had a thing going with exceptionally ambitious kids...with Doogie and Head of the Class staples of the late '80s lineup.

Head of the Class (1986)
ABC had a thing going with exceptionally ambitious kids...with Doogie and Head of the Class staples of the late '80s lineup.

More classic news themes

WXIA 11 Alive News "Hello News" close (1983)
The music dates from '78, but Atlanta's 11 Alive used this cheerful Hallmark postcard music to close out newscasts during the mid '80s, based on the "Hello Georgia" theme. Courtesy Steve in Syracuse.

WBAL 11 Action News "Hello News" open (1978)
Funky music used to open WBAL's news during the late '70s and early '80s. Part of their "Hello Baltimore" campaign. Courtesy Steve in Syracuse.

WPVI Action News (1974)
Here is the full vocal to WPVI's "Move closer to your world" theme, still in use today.

WPVI Action News (1974)
And the full instrumental version of the music. You gotta love the piano lounge transition in the middle

National Nine News open (1980s)
From down in Australia...they still use the familiar "Cool Hand Luke" score you've heard on Eyewitness News in the States to open their newscasts. This is a cut from the 1980s.

Some more catchy commercial videos...

Coke is it! (1982, video)
Here is the saccharine music that introduced the Coke is it! campaign, set to "Fame" style kids working on a stage in New York.

Cheerios - the unsinkable taste (1984, video)
Bet you never thought you'd see this one again. A really timeless spot that features kids and parents trying to sink those Cheerios set to the unmistakable song. This campaign lasted about 5 years, until the oat bran craze led to more topical advertising.

McDonald's Mac Tonight (1988, video)
We got a ton of requests for this one. It's the cresent moon singing Mac Tonight on top of a grand piano

And a little something for game show fans...

The Price is Right - Consolation music (1972)
You know it by heart...the music used right before the last showcase showdown as they run though the prizes for "contestants not appearing on stage".

Contributions, Questions?
We will try to add interesting content from time to time. If you have questions or want to contribute, feel free to email your host at: 80stvthemes@gmail.com.